Mackay questions dodged by Millen

Malky Mackay was considered a Cardiff hero when he was sacked by the club

Crystal Palace caretaker manager Keith Millen only offered a deadpan response when asked about text messages allegedly sent between Malky Mackay and Iain Moody, saying "it's not something you hear all the time."

The Selhurst Park club have sought to avoid controversy, withdrawing their offer to Mackay to become successor to Tony Pulis as manager after details of a dossier sent to the Football Association by Cardiff City emerged on Wednesday.

The Daily Mail has reported that the document contains allegations of racist, sexist and anti-gay texts, though it is unclear who precisely is responsible for the messages.

The dossier stems from the duo's time together at Cardiff, when Mackay was manager and Moody the head of recruitment, before Moody was suspended in November 2013 and Mackay sacked in December. Cardiff have declined to make any public comment.

Millen refused to be drawn on the incident further but stated that the controversy has not distracted the team and -- for the first time -- said positive results could help his own case to get the job long-term.

"It's difficult for me to comment on the text messages," Millen said, speaking in his news conference ahead of Saturday's match against West Ham United at Selhurst Park. "It's not something you hear all the time.

"The focus is on Saturday for our first home game of the season. I don't think this has weakened us. The players trust me and we will do our homework on West Ham. We know we've got a tough game so the set-up is here.

"On the training field the lads have been fine -- they're serious and focused and we haven't changed too much tactically. Gerry Francis is here with me to help. There are no excuses."

Millen could be considered for the job if he can claim a positive result against the Hammers.

"The fans have been fantastic. The chairman knows what I can do. It's whether he feels it's the right time [for him to be appointed]," he added. "The chairman doesn't feel like he has to rush and make sure it's the right person. My case becomes stronger if we win on Saturday.

"If you get results, then the chairman might think I tick enough boxes to take this club forward."